Means for operating washing-machine wringers.



W. H. VOSS. MEANS EOE OPERATING WASHING MACHINE WBINGEES.

APPLICATION llLBD AUG. 25, 1909.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

` W. H. VOSS.

MEANS FOR OPERATING WASHING MACHINE WRINGERS.

APPLICATION rlLED AUG. 25, 1909.

1,004,607 Patented 00113, 1911.

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:1 11111 www WILLIAM H. 'VOS`S, 0F DAVENPORT, IOWA.

MEANS FOR OPERATING WASHING-MACHINE WRINGERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 3, 1911.

Application tiled August 25, 1909. Serial No. 514,585.

To all 'whom it may concern: j

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. Voss, a citizen of the United States,residing at Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Means for OperatingWashing-Machine VVringers, of which the, followingis a full, clear, and.exact description.

,My invention relates to means for operating washing machines andwringers,.and particularly the type or class of washing machines havinga-rotary 'reciprocal agitator and a momentum or balance-wheel to assistin the reversal movement of agitator, the same being adapted to beeither driven by hand or by `means of a suitable motor.

kIn operating a wringer by means of a motor, is has often occurredthatthe fingers of the `operator became caught in the rollers thereof andcrushed, or buttons on the cloth ing being wrung are broken by beingcarelessly fed through the machine.

' It is, therefore, an object of this invention to avoid these veryobjectionable features by connecting the wringer with the motor bysuitable mechanism that will instantly stop the operation of the wringerwhile the motor will continue to rotate. These elements are so arrangedthat the instantaneous stoppin of the wringer will not burn out or killthe motor.

Still another object of my invention is to connect up the mechanism sothat either the agitator or the wringer may be operated independently ofthe other, and also to provide means whereby it is possible to throw thewringer into or out of operation by a foot-- treadle, so that both handsof the operator may be free to feed the clothes to the rollers.

I accomplish the above objects by the means and in the mannerhereinafter fully ciated parts. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section takenjust below the planeof the bottom of the tub for the purpose ofillustrating the location and arrangement of the various parts of themachine below the tub. Fig. 4 is a central /longitudinal section oftheclutch that is utilized for disconnecting the `balance-wheel from itsShaft and transforming said balance-wheel into an idler. j

My invention, as shown in the drawings, is applied to a washing machinecomprising a tub orvbody, A, which is supported by legs cz, a the latterbeing connected by diagonally arranged metal cross-braces af o: andmeans, B, for converting and transmitting the reciprocal movement of ahorizontally disposed rack, C, to the usual rotary reciprccal agitatorlocated within the tub. It is immaterial in what manner the4 means, B,are constructed, or of what mechanismthe same consist, in so far as theobjects sought to -be accomplished by my improvements' are concerned. Iprefer, however, to employ for this purpose a small horizontallydisposed gear or pinion mounted to revolve with the agitator shaft, butso arranged as to permit of the free longitudinal movement of the lattertherein. This mechanism is preferably supported on the lid or coverclosing the top of the tub and inclosed within a suitable sphericalcasing, substantially as shown.

The rack, C, extends horizontally and transversely across the lid to apoint beyond the side of the tub, and has its outer end removablypivoted between lugs projecting from a socket made integral with theupper end of a vertically disposed lever, D, of the second class. Thislever is fulcrumed be tween the bifurcations of a bracket c, secured toand projecting from the side of the tub, substantially as shown, and hasa handle inserted in the socket in its upper end, while one end of apitman 2 is pivotally connected to its lower end. This pitman 2 extendsto and under the tub of the machine, and its opposite end is pivotallyconnected to a comparatively large gear 3, that engages a pinion 4. Theshaft on one end of which ear 3 is secured, is journaled in suitableearings near one end of a cross-bar 5, extending between two of the legsof the tub of the machine. A suitable bearing for a horizontal shaft 6,on which the pinion 4 is mounted, is secured to this cross-bar 5adjacent the leg of the tub, substantially parallel to said-firstmentioned bearing, and this shaft 6 extends beyond the side of the tubwhere the fly-wheel l7 is securely mounted thereon. Fly-wheel 7 isprovided withl a circumferential groove 8l and is driven through themedium of a belt 9 that connects it with a small grooved pulley 10 onthe outer end of the armature-shaft of an electric motor 11.

The base ofy motor 11 is bolted er otherwise removably secured to the`platform of a stand 12, which has itsend nearest the machine preferablybifurcated and hinged to the adjacent extended end of a horizontal rod13 having bearings in suitable brackets 14 that are secured to andproject from the adjacent legs of the tub. The opposite free end ofstand 12 is supported by means of a leg, thus insuring a solidfoundation for the motor at all times, as well as, providing convenientmeans whereby the same may be readily disassembled when the machine isknocked-down for shipment.

Secured to the upper edge of the tub is a suitable wringer drip board 15preferably of cast metal, having a vertical plate or wall extendingalong its outer longitudinal edge. A wringer 16, of any suitable orwell-known type, isclamped to this vertical wall and has the shaft 17,on which its driving roller is mounted, extended a distance beyond itsbearings and provided withv a large pulley 18. This pulley is preferablyconnected bymeans of a loose belt 19 with 'a small pulley 20 that isfast on the inner boss of the balance-wheel 7 and is adapted to bethrown `intoI or out of operation by means of an idle tale-uppulley 21.Said pulley adjusts the slack in belt 19 by the oscillation of itsjournal which comprises a lateral L-Shaped extension 22 of ahorizontally disposed rock-shaft 23, the latter being preferablyelongated so that it eX- tends transversely across and in a planeparallel with the bottomof the tub, and is journaled in bearings 24;,24, secured to the adjacent legs of said tub. A suitable arm 25 isfirmly secured to and projects rearwardly -from the extended end ofrock-shaft 23 opposite the L-shaped extension 22, and this arm .is,connected by a suitable link 26 to the outer free end of a horizontallydisposed foot-treadle 27, the latter being fulcrumed on a pivotal stud28 secured to and projecting from one of the cross-braces a. Thearrangement of the parts just described is such that when the treadle 27is depressed the extension 21 on the opposite end of the rock-shaft 23will be moved toward and tighten the belt 19 on pulleys 18 and 20, sothat the wringer will thus be driven by means of the motor.

lt is desirable that the wringer should be lgrooves'or recesses 30 madeinthe adjacent edge ofalongitudinally slidable sleeve 31 on the outerend of said shaft. This sleeve is preferably bored out wider than thediameter of shaft 6 to a point near its inner end where it is reduced indiameter and forms a -shoulder 32. The outer portion of this bore ispreferably closed between the shaft and sleeve by a suitable bushing 33fast on shaft 6 between vwhich latter and said shoulder 32 a coiledexpansion spring 34 is placed so as to surround. said shaft. This keepsthe sleeve vnormally pressed toward the balance-wheel and locks theparts `together so that they 'will all revolve with the shaft. The pin35 that secures the bushing 33 to the shaft extends throu h and operatesin an L-shaped bayonet-s ot 36 cut on opposite sides of the sleeve 31.Thus, when it is desired tol release the balance-wheel from its shaftfor the purpose of using it as an idler, it is necessary to simply movethe sleeve 31 outwardly on the shaft and away from the balance-wheeluntil the lugs 29 are withdrawn .from grooves 30 in said sleeve, andthen rotate said sleeve slightly so -that the pin 35 will seat in thelateral portion of the slot 36. The shaft will then remain stationaryand the wringer may be driven bythe motor independent of the agitatormechanism.

When it is desired to operate the washing machine mechanism by the motor11', the high 'speed of the small armature' pulley 10 is impartedthrough belt 9, to the much larger fly-wheel 7, and reduced thereby, andthis reduced motion is transmitted through the medium of the ily-wheelshaft 6 and pinion 4 0n the opposite end thereof, to the l large gear 3by which said motion is further reduced. This reduction of the motionincreases the effective power of the motor and by means of pitman 2, thelever l) is rocked back and forth and rack C reciprocated and theagitator within the machine is thus actuated. When it is desired tooperate the machine by hand, the belt 9, connecting the motor andfly-wheel can be easily disconnected and removed, simply by elevatingthe stand 12, so as to slacken or remove the belt.` rlhe operator thengrasps the handle and drawing it back and that operate the reversingmechanism of the washing machine may be em loyed to operate the wringerwhen it is esired to dispense with the motorv and turn the latter byhand. It is preferred that the wringer be disconnected from thereversing mechanisin and the balance-wheel utilized as an idler bythrowing out the clutch. Thus the operator standing on the treadle sideof the tub depresses the same by his foot and tightens the belt 19 onthe pulleys 18 and 20, and said wringer is then driven by the motorindependent of the Vreversing mechanisin. Should an accident occur thefoot ti'eadle is allowed to raise thus loosening the belt 19 andinstantly stopping the rotation of the wringer.

lVhile I have described and illustrated particular means for carryingout my invention, do not desire to be limited to these specificconstructions, as obvious changes may be made in the saine withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

That I claim as new is 1. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising asuitable support having legs, a shaft journaled below said support, abalance-wheel mounted loosely on said shaft, a clutch connecting saidbalance-Wheel and shaft, means fulcrumed on the side of said supportthrough the medium of which said balance\vheel is actuated, anindependent shaft having bearings on said sup ort,a pulley 0n saidindependent shaft, a iielt engaging said wheel and pulley, an idlerintermediate said first-mentioned pulley and balance-wheel, and meansfulcriiined on one of said legs for moving said idler into and outofengagement with said belt.

2. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable supporthaving legs, a shaft journaled below said support, a balance-wheelmounted loosely on said shaft, a clutch connecting said balance-wheeland shaft, a lever fulcrumed on the side of said support through themedium of which said balance-wheel is actuated, an independent shafthavingbearings on said support, a pulley on saidiudependent shaft, abelt engaging said wheel and pulley, an idler intermediate saidfirst-mentioiied pulley and balaiice-wlieeha rock-shaft having bearingsoii said support and having a lateral extension on which said idler isjournaled, and manually operated means fulcrumed on one of said legs forrocking said latter shaft and moving said idler toward and away fromsaid belt for connecting and disconnecting said wheel andfirst-mentioned pulley.

3. Actuating -mechanism vforv a 4wringer` comprising a suitable sup orthaving legs, a shaft 'journaledbelow said support, a balance-wheelmounted loosely on said shaft, a clutch connecting said balancewheel andshaft, a lever fulcrumed on the side of said su port through the mediumof which said ba ance-wheel is actuated, an independent shaft havingbearings on said support, a pulley on said independent shaft, a beltengaging said wheel and pulley, an idler intermediate saidfirst'mentioned pulley and bal ance-wheel, a rock-shaft having4 bearingson said support and having a lateral extension on which said idler isjournaled for moving said idler toward and away from said belt forconnecting and disconnecting said wheel and first-mentioned pulley, anda foottreadle fulcrumed on one of said legs for rocking said lattershaft.

4. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable support, ashaft journaled below said sup ort, a balance-wheel mounted loosely onsaid shaft a clutch connecting said balance-wheel and shaft, a leverfulcrumed on the side of said support through the medium of which saidbalance wheel is actuated, an independent shaft havin bearings on saidsupport, a pulley on said independent shaft, a belt engaging said wheeland pulley, an idler intermediate said first-mentioned pulley andbalance-wheel, and laterally movable means having bearings on saidV suport for moving said idler into and out o engagement with said belt andthereby connecting and disconnecting said wheel and first-mentionedpulley.

5. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable supporthaving legs, a motor-driven balance-wheel journaled below said support,a pulley journaled above said support, a belt connecting said pulley andwheel, an idler adapted to engage said belt, a rock-shaft havingbearings on said support and having a lateral extension on which saididler is journaled, and a foot-treadle fulcrumed adjacent one end to oneof said legs and adapted to rock said' shaft and move said idler intoand out of engagement with said belt and thereby connect and disconnectsaid wheel and first-mentioned pulley.

6. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable supporthaving legs, a motor-driven balance-wheel journaled below said support,a pulley joiirnaled above said Support., a normally loose beltconnecting said pulley and wheel, an idler adapted to engage said belt,a rock-shaft having bearings on said support and having an L-shapedextension on the lateral member of which shaft, the depression of whichtreadle moves said idler against said belt and tightens the same andthereby connects and disconnects said Wheel and first-mentioned pulley.

In Witness whereof-I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of August1909.

WILLIAM H. Voss.

Witnesses EDWARD Voss, ARTHUR CLIFFORD.

